Bead brands
Perler vs Hama vs Artkal Beads: What’s the Difference?
Perler, Hama, and Artkal all make the same basic thing: small plastic beads you arrange on a pegboard and fuse with an iron. But they differ in size options, color ranges, plastic feel, melting behavior, and where you can actually buy them — and those differences matter more as your projects get bigger.
Here’s an honest comparison from a pattern-making perspective, plus what it means for the patterns you generate with a tool like BeadForge.
The quick answer
- Perler — the household name in North America. Easy to find, solid color range, slightly softer plastic that fuses quickly.
- Hama — the European classic, made in Denmark. Consistent quality, great pastel/soft tones, three sizes (mini, midi, maxi).
- Artkal — a newer brand with a very large color catalog and multiple bead series at different sizes and melting points; popular with sprite artists and portrait makers.
- Nabbi — another European brand with sturdy, slightly harder beads; a good midi option often sold in bulk tubs.
For most projects, availability and color selection should drive your choice. All of them build the same patterns.
Side-by-side comparison
| Brand | Standard size | Other sizes | Color range | Notable traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perler | Midi (5 mm) | Biggie (10 mm), mini (2.6 mm) | ~70+ colors | Fuses fast; widely available in the US; big multi-color tubs |
| Hama | Midi (5 mm) | Maxi (10 mm), mini (2.5 mm) | ~60+ colors | Very consistent sizing; strong pastel range; common in Europe |
| Artkal | Midi S-5 (5 mm) | Mini C/A (2.6–3 mm), R-5 soft | 150+ across series | Huge palette; different series have different melt points |
| Nabbi | Midi (5 mm) | Jumbo | ~50+ colors | Slightly harder plastic; economical bulk tubs |
Counts are approximate — brands add and retire colors regularly — but the scale is right: Artkal has the deepest catalog, while Perler and Hama cover everything most projects need.
Compatibility matrix: what can actually be mixed?
| Combination | Same board? | Same project? | What to test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perler midi + Hama midi | Usually yes | Usually yes | Fit, height, and which bead softens first |
| Perler midi + Artkal S-5 | Usually yes | Usually yes | Color height and melt timing on a 5×5 sample |
| Hama midi + Nabbi midi | Usually yes | Usually yes | Peg fit and the extra pass harder beads may need |
| Any midi + mini series | No | No | Different diameter and board spacing |
| Artkal S series + soft R series | Check exact size | Use caution | Series-specific diameter and melt point |
| Any 5 mm brand + maxi/Biggie | No | No | Different diameter and pegboard system |
“Usually” matters: manufacturing tolerances, older boards, special finishes, and bead series vary. Test the exact bags and board you will use rather than assuming every product carrying a brand name behaves alike.
Sizes: midi is the standard
When people say “Perler beads” or “Hama beads” they almost always mean midi, the 5 mm size. It’s the size that standard 29×29 pegboards, most published patterns, and BeadForge patterns are built around. Mini beads (~2.6 mm) allow much finer detail in the same footprint but demand tweezers and patience; maxi beads (10 mm) are made for toddlers and chunky projects.
Melting behavior
This is the difference you feel most. Perler beads are a touch softer and fuse quickly; Hama and Nabbi beads take slightly longer under the iron; Artkal sells series with deliberately different melting points (their soft R series fuses at lower heat than the standard S series). None of this changes the pattern — it changes your ironing time.
Mixing brands?
Dimensionally, midi beads from these brands coexist on the same board fine. When you iron a mixed piece, go slower at medium heat and check often — one brand will always fuse a little before the other.
A safe mixed-brand test in 10 minutes
- Build a 5×5 checkerboard with both brands, including light and dark colors if possible.
- Confirm every bead sits upright without forcing or leaning on the pegs.
- Fuse through clean paper at the lower brand’s recommended starting heat.
- Check after a short moving pass; note which bead’s hole closes or edge spreads first.
- Cool the sample flat, bend it gently, and inspect the seams before using the mix in a large design.
Color matching across brands
“Red” is not the same red in every catalog. If you build a pattern with mixed stashes, keep each pattern color to a single brand where you can — swapping brands mid-area shows as a subtle stripe. When you generate a pattern with BeadForge, you can toggle off palette colors you don’t own so the pattern only calls for beads actually in your drawer, whatever brand they are. For working out quantities before you buy, see how many beads do I need.
Which should you buy?
- In the US, starting out: Perler — you can get it at any craft store today.
- In Europe, starting out: Hama — same logic.
- Detailed portraits and sprites: Artkal for the palette depth, or minis if you want fine detail.
- Classrooms and bulk crafting: Nabbi or whichever brand’s bulk tubs are cheapest locally — kids won’t notice the difference.
Compare value by usable cost per 1,000 beads, not bag price alone: divide the delivered price by the count, then multiply by 1,000. Add a waste allowance for mixed tubs, colors you rarely use, and shades that do not match the pattern. A slightly more expensive single-color bag can be cheaper than sorting a bargain tub for hours.
Whichever beads you own, the pattern comes first. Generate one from any image and BeadForge will tell you exactly how many beads of each color the project needs.
Open the free pattern generatorA note on names
“Perler,” “Hama,” “Artkal,” and “Nabbi” are trademarks of their respective owners. We use the names here only to compare the beads themselves — BeadForge is an independent pattern tool and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by any bead brand. Patterns are brand-agnostic grids, so they work with any standard 5 mm fuse bead. New to generators? Start with how to use a fuse bead pattern generator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix Perler, Hama, and Artkal beads in one project?
Yes, as long as they’re the same size class (midi 5 mm beads mix fine dimensionally). The main caveats are melting behavior — brands soften at slightly different rates, so test-iron a corner first — and subtle color differences between brands’ versions of “the same” color.
Do Hama beads fit on Perler pegboards?
Generally yes. Midi-size Hama beads and Perler beads both sit on standard 5 mm pegboards. Fit can feel slightly looser or tighter between brands, but patterns and board layouts are interchangeable.
Which fuse bead brand is best for beginners or kids?
Any midi 5 mm brand works for beginners — availability and price usually matter more than brand. Perler is easiest to find in the US, Hama in Europe. For very young kids, consider maxi 10 mm beads, which are easier for small hands.
Does BeadForge work with all these brands?
Yes. BeadForge generates standard 5 mm bead grids sized to 29×29 pegboards, so the printed pattern works with Perler, Hama midi, Artkal midi, Nabbi, and other compatible fuse beads. You can also toggle the palette to only the colors you own.
Ready to make your own pattern?
BeadForge turns any image into a printable fuse bead pattern with bead counts and pegboard sizing — free, in your browser, no signup.